Sharon White, chief executive of broadcasting watchdog Ofcom spoke to a committee of MPs about the future of reality TV after tragedy struck and participant Steve Dymond took his own life days after he appeared on The Jeremy Kyle show, prompting ITV to cancel it permanently.

Speaking to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, she said: ‘We will be looking at lie detectors and other tools used by the production companies, as to whether…it’s fair treatment for vulnerable individuals.’

Addressing the committee, White said: ‘As well as the most recent tragedy with Steve Dymond, alarm bells were particularly rung with two suicides, Love Island, some months after the broadcasts.

‘What happens after transmission at the moment, there is a window between filming and transmission where there is advice on the media and social media and going often from being a private person to suddenly being cast into a media world.’

She added: ‘I guess my question which I am asking my team is to think about whether that needs to be extended somewhat after transmission.

‘So it is that sort of regime guidance we are thinking for reality shows and factual programmes.’

The Jeremy Kyle show has been permanently cancelled at ITV.

Got a showbiz story?

If you've got a story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk Entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page - we'd love to hear from you.